F.I.E.R.C.E. Animal Rescue

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Quick Start Foster Guide

Version 1, January 2022

THANK YOU for your interest in becoming a foster caregiver for F.I.E.R.C.E. Animal Rescue!

F.I.E.R.C.E. Animal Rescue was founded in 2022 with the mission of helping our local community by addressing pet overpopulation. We are a hands-on rescue group who responds to requests for help. In the course of what we do, we often find cats and kittens that need temporary homes.

Foster homes bridge the gap between homeless and forever homes. Foster families care for these animals while they grow and receive medical care, and when ready, foster families assist in finding their animals their perfect happy ending. Fostering is critical to our mission, and it is our goal to make your foster experience the best it can be!

What requirements are there to foster?

• Must be legally allowed to have animals (own/rent.)
• Never convicted of animal crimes.
• Must be over 18 (teens/kids welcome to help–adult is responsible.)
• Must be able and willing to keep foster cats and kittens separated from resident animals. This can be accomplished with a dedicated space (bathroom, laundry room, bedroom) and/or a cat crate placed in a quiet place of the home.
• Must be willing and able to bring them for scheduled appointments at mutually agreed upon time and place, typically the clinic location in Spring Grove.
• Must be willing to communicate with the organization in a timely manner when reached out to for information requests, updates, etc.
• Must be able to maintain foster card and keep the foster pet up to date by scheduling vaccines.

Our commitment to you

We are 100% in it for the animals! We all come from varied backgrounds, and we welcome ALL types of people and families to join us on this exciting journey!

To further strengthen our organization and make it successful, we request that, if you choose to join us, that you will commit to our Kindness Policy.

“We at F.I.E.R.C.E. believe that our biggest strength and asset is our team. We will protect our team members from negativity, criticism, and judgement. If any team member chooses to say or do something that could be considered detrimental to the organization, that person will receive a warning. A second offense will result in immediate removal from our program.”

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What to Expect–First Day & Coming Home

• You will be reached out to by a member of our team with a request to foster. At that time, you will be given the most current information we have on the cat (s) we are asking you to foster.
• If you agree, one of our volunteers will contact you to arrange either pick up or drop off at a mutually agreed upon time and place.
• You will be given a starter set of food, litter and needed supplies as requested and as available from our inventory. Please note that supply may come short of need this year. All purchased supplies are tax-deductible.
• You will sign a Foster Agreement. You will also be given Foster Cards, which you will keep in a safe place to record vetting information as it is completed. Foster folder for each pet is a convenient way to keep documentation together.

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First Day/Coming Days

Most of the cats and kittens we take into our care come from outdoor environments. Depending on prior contact with humans and age of the cat, some cats adjust more quickly than others. Be patient and work at their pace. Many times, on the first day, it is best to set your foster cats up in a quiet space with food, water, and litter and then let them be.

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Caring for Foster Cats

Different cats need different things. Please reach out to our community with questions at any time. We work best when we work together! Here are a few tried and true suggestions:

• Food is a great motivator! Use squeeze-up cat treats, chicken baby food on a spoon, or small pieces of meat to help cats relax.
• Play with your cats/kittens daily! Feathers, ribbon toys, and laser pointers are wonderful to help reluctant kittens warm up!
• “Forced” cuddle time (use a blanket/towel for spicy cats and be careful!) once the cat/kitten has acclimated to the space.
• Do not keep your house quiet for your fosters. They need to learn what a normal household sounds like.
• When visitors come over, have them say hello to your foster cats!
• Feel free to post pictures and videos on social media while the cats are with you.

If problems arise

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If at any time you are worried about the health of your foster cat(s,) we are worried, too. Please watch for the following common signs of illness:

• Lethargy (sleeping too much, not active, not interested in playing for more than 12 hours.)
• Not eating and drinking (holding head over bowl, licking lips, gagging.)
• Nasal/eye discharge (especially if colored or crusty, and returns after a gently wipe with a warm towel.)
• Diarrhea/vomiting– Cats/kittens are treated with dewormer on admission. Food changes also can contribute. One episode of vomiting or loose stool means keep close watch. If it continues, contact us.
• Many issues with kittens can be closely monitored best by weighing kittens daily. We recommend purchasing a low-cost digital scale.
• Please refer to our most current emergency contact list for how to reach out for help.

Time for New Beginnings!

When your cat (s) are socially ready and they are healthy enough for surgery, they will be scheduled at our clinic in Spring Grove or at one of our partnering vets for Spay/Neuter surgery. Cats are generally dropped off in the morning, and picked up later in the day. You will be responsible for transporting them to and from their appointments. You will receive pre-op and post-op instructions at that time.

Cats and kittens will return to foster homes for 48-72 hours for recovery.

Please keep any and all paperwork given to you at this appointment in your foster folder.

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Final Steps

You’ve raised ‘em right, they got vetted, and now it’s time to find them homes!

Please write a bio for each cat/kitten ready for adoption. Include 2-3 clear pictures of each cat. Your bio should include, but is not limited to:

• Name, age, sex, color/markings, favorite foods, favorite toys and activities
• Where is the kitten being fostered? City/State?
• Does the cat/kitten have experience with dogs/cats/kids?
• Make it cute and positive. A VERY energetic kitten should be marketed as a GREAT playmate for an energetic older cat. A more reserved cat would make a great couch companion! Play up their strengths, but be honest.

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Samples of Bios

Final Steps (cont.)

When applications are received, they will be reviewed by one of our team members. If we feel it might be a good fit, we will forward the application on to you for your review. Foster families get “first right” to adopt their own foster kitties, and also get final vote on whether an adopter is the right fit.

You will be provided with all necessary paperwork to complete the adoption. If you are uncomfortable, one of our team members can walk you through the process, in-person or on the phone.

All completed paperwork should be kept in the envelope/folder provided, and given to a team member as soon as possible.

TAKE PICTURES!!!!!

When you complete an adoption, please take a goodbye picture! Several years from now, you will love going through those and remembering all of the cats you have saved!

Want to be a F.I.E.R.C.E. Foster Family?

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All foster families are required to fill out a foster application to be a member of our community. This only needs to be done once, the first time you foster for F.I.E.R.C.E. or if you take a break from fostering and return after 12 months or more have went by.

https://forms.gle/GeEdzEV3QXqkpTVG6

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN F.I.E.R.C.E. Animal Rescue!

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Kristen Thompson

Julie Austin, Lori Birmingham, Sandy Gordon

Founding Members: Tammy Alongi, Dawn Bartlett, Michelle Bate, Kayla Brown, Chris Daugherty, Margie Fisher, June Grogan, Sarah Hauter, Davida Holmes, Tammy King, Julie Lane, Patti Marx, Nicole Marrko, Scarlett Middleton, Rebecca and Cori Murry, Brenda Preston, Emma Romanelli, Laura Sprague, Sarah Van Nevel, Niki Warden and Joan Zacharias

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